With the conclusion of daylight saving time as of Nov. 5, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists how the shift in time and insufficient sleep can affect their ability to drive safely.

The CHP joins the National Sleep Foundation in recognizing Nov. 5 through Nov. 11 as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and only drive when they are alert and refreshed.

Although we observed the tradition of “fall back” and gained an extra hour of sleep Saturday night, Nov. 4 into Sunday, Nov. 5, it does not necessarily equate to added rest, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. In the fall, people tend to wake up earlier, which results in less sleep throughout the week. The time change can also disrupt sleep/wake patterns, which can put motorists at an increased risk of crashes.

Every year thousands of crashes occur in California involving drowsy drivers. According to preliminary data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there have been more than 4,000 crashes in California in 2023 involving a drowsy driver. There were more than 5,000 crashes involving drowsy drivers in each of the two previous years.

Whenever motorists begin to feel tired or fatigued, the CHP reminds motorists to pull safely off the road and use one of the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) statewide roadside rest areas for a quick mind-clearing break. To find a rest area or to check for the latest travel information on state highways, visit the Caltrans QuickMap at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/. Motorists are advised against stopping on the side of the road where they risk getting hit by another car.